'No Second Chances' — Bungie Issues Warning to Would-Be Cheaters Ahead of Marathon Launch

IGN

by Wesley Yin-Poole

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Bungie has issued a stern warning to anyone tempted to cheat in its upcoming game *Marathon*: cheaters will be permanently banned with no second chances. In a blog post, the studio emphasized its zero-tolerance approach to cheating, stating that players’ deaths in the game should result from skill or enemy tactics—not unfair advantages. While Bungie acknowledged that no system is flawless, it has implemented a robust appeals process to address potential detection issues. The game features dedicated servers and a “Fog of War” system designed to limit cheaters' effectiveness. The servers are fully authoritative on key combat and looting actions, ensuring fair gameplay. Additionally, the Fog of War restricts players’ map knowledge, making it harder for cheats like wall hacks or loot revealers to gain an advantage. Bungie also highlighted its layered security approach, including both user-mode and kernel-mode components, without revealing specific technical details to avoid aiding potential cheaters. The studio’s focus on game security is driven by the importance of maintaining a competitive and fair experience in *Marathon*. While it did not mention using Secure Boot or TPM 2.0

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Originally published on IGN on 2/23/2026